Article Contributed by Michele DeKinder-Smith

Launching a product is an important step in growing a business. If you’re already in the business of selling products, it’s an opportunity to expand into a new market. If your primary business is in services, offering a product is an opportunity to get beyond the “dollars for hours” trap and begin creating residual income. In either case, launching a product, or even a new service, takes time, forethought and a great deal of investment. And, while it’s exciting, it can be stressful, too.

A new study from Jane Out of the Box, an authority on women entrepreneurs, recently revealed there are five distinct types of women in business. Each of these five types has a unique approach to running a business—and as a consequence, each of them has a unique combination of characteristics and factors. This article profiles two important Jane “types” and the things they should keep in mind as they plan for (and launch) new products.

Jane Dough is an entrepreneur who enjoys running her business and makes good money. She is comfortable and determined in buying and selling, which may be why she’s five times more likely than the average female business owner to hit the million dollar mark. Jane Dough is clear in her priorities and may be intentionally and actively growing an asset-based or legacy business. It is estimated that 18% of women fall in the category of Jane Dough.

If you’re the Jane Dough type, chances are good you feel totally confident about this launch. You’re a big picture gal, and you probably believe this launch will benefit your business. But before you go ahead with it, here are some things to think about:

* Staying focused on the big picture means you may fail to truly analyze all the potential risks and benefits of your new product or service. Although you make good business decisions and are able to separate your business from your emotion, sometimes you move so fast you forget to consider all the angles.

* Have you adequately assessed your market? Do the parameters and features of price points associated with the product need to be tweaked? Are you reaching your target market with the right message? You’ve got plenty of business coming in and plenty of other plans in the works. That doesn’t mean you don’t need to yield to those caution signs. Slow down and analyze all the intricacies, colors and patterns that make up the big picture you love so much.

* What about the system around your launch? Have you taken the time to explain to your team what they need to do to make the launch a success? Having a system in place can prevent problems before they happen–and just thinking about that system can make you slow down enough to consider all the angles.

By taking the time to understand exactly how this new launch fits in—rather than staying focused on the big picture vision, and forging blindly ahead—you’ll be able to learn from possible mistakes before they happen.

Tenacity Jane is an entrepreneur with an undeniable passion for her business, and also one who tends to be struggling with cash flow. As a result, she’s working long hours, and making less money than she’d like. Nevertheless, Tenacity Jane is bound and determined to make her business a success. At 31% of women in business, Tenacity Janes are the largest single Jane type.

If you’re the Tenacity Jane type, you’re no stranger to challenge. But that doesn’t mean you should create another one for yourself. Before launching a new product or service, ask yourself some questions:

* Is adding a product or service a smart business decision, or is it just something you just really want to do? Tenacity Janes tend to love what they’re doing so much, and want it so badly, that emotions sometimes get in the way. The deep and abiding faith you have in your business and in yourself as an entrepreneur is what keeps you going–but it won’t launch a new product and keep it off the ground.

* Is the timing good for adding another output for your business? For Tenacity Jane, finances are an issue. If this product launch fails, will it put you out of business? Is this a risk you can afford to take right now, or should you put it off until your business more stable? A product launch can boost your business–but it also can suck your resources dry.

* Have you done enough research and planning? For some Tenacity Janes, their business results from a great concept but a poor plan. For others, they have a great idea but no clue how to run a business. Make sure all your ducks are in a row before you launch a product. What if your product takes off? Are you equipped to handle a huge increase in business? Remember, if things go well, you’re going to be swamped with more work. And if they don’t, you’re going to be out a lot of money. Either way, you need to be prepared.

* Are you looking at this possible product launch as just another challenge? Well, it’s not! Launching a new product is a big deal. Make sure you’re giving it enough thought, time and attention. We know you’re familiar with struggles, but launching a product has the potential to take up even more of your time, use up even more of your money and cause even more desperation. Make sure you’re ready!

Each Jane presented here–Jane Dough and Tenacity Jane–has several things to consider before launching a new product or service. Each entrepreneur must decide whether this is the right thing to do for her business–and for herself. Because in the end, isn’t that what this is all about? Asking herself the right questions and thinking about the right issues will allow every Jane, when the time comes, to move boldly forward in the future.

About the Author
Michele DeKinder-Smith is the founder of Jane out of the Box, an online resource dedicated to the women entrepreneur community. Discover more incredibly useful information for running a small business by taking the FREE Jane Types Assessment at Jane out of the Box. Offering networking and marketing opportunities, key resources and mentorship from successful women in business, Jane Out of the Box is online at www.janeoutofthebox.com.

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